Thimi residents celebrate ‘Suthesyaa Jatra’ with colorful Sindoor festival (photos)

KATHMANDU: Madhyapur Thimi came alive early this morning as thousands of locals gathered to celebrate the vibrant and traditional Suthesyaa Jatra, also known as the Morning Sindoor Festival, held as part of the Biska Jatra festivities.

The streets were packed with people — their faces, heads, and clothes covered in bright red vermillion powder (sindoor), creating a spectacular sea of color and joy.

At the forefront were groups carrying oil lamps, followed by musicians playing traditional Dhime and Musya drums.

Behind them came devotees carrying sacred palanquins (khat) bearing the deities of various localities.

Children, youth, and the elderly alike participated with immense enthusiasm, dancing, playing sindoor, and chanting in celebrati

This unique festival is celebrated exclusively in Thimi, where locals carry khats of their neighborhood deities, dance to traditional music, and cover each other in sindoor.

The procession begins early in the morning, with 26 palanquins (although traditionally 32) brought together in front of the Balkumari Temple for a grand circumambulation.

The event officially started when the palanquins of Balkumari and Kalika (from Balakhu) were taken out of the temple. Earlier, on Monday, the palanquins of Vishnuvir and Dakshin Barahi were also placed in the temple.

The arrival of Siddhikali along with her attendants marked the formal beginning of the jatra.

With permission from the Naike Pradhan (festival leader), the palanquin of Balkumari was lifted and paraded around Devata Ghar in Digutole, followed by the palanquins of Vishnuvir, Siddhikali, and others.

Accompanied by loud traditional music and chants, the celebration continued through various neighborhoods.

Though the tradition includes 32 khats, only 26 khats currently participate, with 23 from Thimi, 1 from Nagadesh, 7 from Bode, and 1 from Tigani. Deities from Balkumari, Dakshin Barahi, Vishnuvir (Thimi), Siddhi Ganesh (Nagadesh), Mahalaxmi (Bode), and Nil Barahi (Tigani) lead the festivities in their respective areas.

As each palanquin passes through neighborhoods, residents shower sindoor and flower petals from windows, balconies, and rooftops in a vibrant display of community spirit.

The festival has increasingly come to be known as the Sindoor Jatra due to the central role of vermillion in the celebration.

According to tradition, certain deities are not allowed to enter the Layaku (palace) premises, so deities like Pankha Musya, Balkhucha Dyoh, and Siddhikali symbolically block the way to uphold this age-old belief.

After the palanquin of Balkumari circles various shrines like Bhaila Dyoh, Suga Dyoh, and Kwache Dyoh, the jatra continues with dancing, drumming, and sindoor play, all filled with energy and joy.

The jatra runs until midday, after which preparations begin for the equally famous Tongue Piercing Festival in Bode, scheduled for 2:00 PM.